Exhausted Wildfire Fighters Get Thanks And (Finally) Sleep

The scene included thanks all around to firefighters at the Germann Lake Fire Command Post in Gordon, Thursday.

This was the worst wildfire in northern Wisconsin since 1980, and town officials told Governor Scott Walker it could have been much worse if it hadn’t been for the all-out response Tuesday afternoon: “Could have been devastating to our town if they didn’t stop it when they did. Just amazing.”

Walker took an aerial tour of the 8,100 charred acres in Douglas and Bayfield Counties. A few minutes later he said thanks to the 20 first responders standing behind him. He said it was a tragedy that 17 homes were destroyed, but he’s grateful that 77 buildings were saved.

“When you see the ashes literally yards away from homes and property, you realize it was the Forest Service and the DNR crews making sure those properties were protected. It’s just phenomenal.”

Thirty-nine fire departments responded to a wildfire that one firefighter said traveled three miles in 15 minutes at its worst. DNR Regional Chief John Gozdzialski says a lot of people are pretty exhausted.

“My brother Larry, there: he’s got toothpicks under his eyes to keep ’em open. Five hours since the start of the fire, and a lot of the folks here have been working tirelessly.”

Gordon Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Chmielecki was one of those who got five hours sleep in 48 hours. He says his citizen firefighters gave it their all.

“A lot of people had to take time off to do this and they’re still here today. We had a shift change last night, so some got some sleep last night and came back this morning at 6 a.m.”

But the job isn’t done. It’ll probably take another two days to put out the last flames. This time nature will help, with five days of rain in the forecast.